District to open hall for food, fashion

Union Market Tustin with as many as 20 food and retail shops will open at The District at Tustin Legacy in the space that used to be occupied by the Borders bookstore, which closed in 2011. FILE PHOTO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The District at Tustin Legacy shopping center, plagued over the years by shuttered retailers and restaurants, announced plans Thursday to add an eclectic food and retail marketplace inside the closed Borders bookstore.

Union Market Tustin, inspired by the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco, will house a variety of gourmet food, fashion and lifestyle shops, center owner Vestar said Thursday. Andrea and Russell Young, who developed similar concepts in Costa Mesa and Las Vegas, will run the 22,000-square-foot space.

The Youngs will lease space to as many as 20 independent shops and emerging food brands. Spaces range from 200 square feet to 3,000 square feet. Tenants have not been announced for the market, slated to open in 2014.

“The atmosphere will be reminiscent of something you would find in New York or San Francisco, with a modern, industrial vibe and very open feel,” Vestar said.

The Youngs established the OC Mart on 17th Street in Costa Mesa. They also created The OC Mart Mix (now called The OC Mix) at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa and developed The Market LV in Las Vegas, Andrea Young said.

“We are thrilled to open our newest market at The District where we share a vision with Vestar to create a new experience for the community,” said Andrea Young. “There couldn't be a better location for our concept.”

Communal food and retail hubs are growing in popularity throughout Orange County. The Packing House, a food hall at an old citrus packing house in downtown Anaheim, will open this fall.

Vestar opened The District at Tustin Legacy in 2007. Many retailers and restaurants struggled at the 1 million-square-foot center, which shoppers criticized for its poorly designed parking lots.

Besides Borders, closures include Best Buy, Marmalade Cafe, Pablo's Cantina, Red Brick Pizza, Johnny Rockets, Chaparosa Grill, and The Cravery. Food tenants with a national following, such as Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Red Robin and Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, have replaced some of the closed restaurants. The center, at Barranca Parkway and Jamboree Road, is home to Whole Foods Market, Costco, Target and Michael's.

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